Sadness, support remain much the same for Steven Kissack’s family and friends a year after his death
- Mark Sabbatini
- Jul 15
- 6 min read
His dog Juno is thriving with a new owner, but people at memorial say unresolved issues about homelessness remain after Kissack was fatally shot by police
Steven Kissack’s sister says she still grieves daily a year after he was fatally shot by police. His malamute Juno is still one of Juneau’s best-known dogs when her new owner takes her out. And people living on the streets as Kissack did are still facing many of the same struggles.
About 30 family and friends of Kissack, along with Juno and at least one of the puppies she had nearly five years ago, gathered at Marine Park at midday Tuesday for a one-year memorial of his death. He was killed shortly after 1 p.m. on July 15, 2024, following a roughly 15-minute confrontation with police that escalated into a fatal shooting when he ran in the general direction of one of the officers while holding a large knife.
An investigation found the officers were justified in their use of deadly force and bodycam footage of the incident shows attempts to subdue him with non-lethal projectiles were unsuccessful.
But Kissack’s death sparked widespread community anger. Some people blamed police for failing to de-escalate the situation. Some argued Kissack’s prolonged existence on the streets despite mental health and substance abuse problems reflected a greater failing of Juneau as a community to address the difficulties of unhoused residents.
Dawn Kissack, who made her first visit to Juneau a year ago with other family members after her brother’s death, said Tuesday both the support from community members as well as the problems involving homeless issues seem much the same as she remembers. She has during the past year frequently posted social media messages about her brother and other causes she considers worthy, but said for the most part "I just take care of my grandbabies."
"But, you know, I grieve every single day," she said. "I still break down every single day. It feels like just yesterday, but it feels like forever."
Dawn Kissack was the lone family member from Florida to make the trip for the anniversary memorial, since she said work prevented other siblings from coming. But she was immediately recognized, greeted and hugged by many of the people arriving at the park. One person draped a red Tlingit robe around her, offering warmth during the overcast day as well as the comfort of a shared community connection.
"Everybody coming back to remember him is really healing for me is what it is," she said. "I’m really just trying to get healing for me and I love to see the community come back together to remember him. That means a lot to me to see that everybody remembers him and cares for him."
It seems like there’s been little change in Juneau’s homeless situation compared to a year ago, based on conversations with residents who’ve kept her updated about efforts to work with police and other officials, Dawn Kissack said.
"They're trying to put together some team that can go out and maybe mentally assist these people if there were a crisis happening, but they're still figuring it out," she said, referring to the group of residents. Among the issues to be resolved, for instance, is to what extent police are willing to be accompanied by citizens during calls that involve potential homeless enforcement actions.
The ongoing difficulties for all directly affected were evident during a meeting of Juneau Assembly members the night before the memorial, with members by a split vote advancing a proposal to make it easier for police to arrest people on the street for disruptive conduct.
A sunnier attitude was exhibited by Juno, who in addition to getting nourishing nibbles from food cart vendors at the park was the center of much conversation among people at the memorial. She was adopted — after getting transition care from Juneau Animal Rescue — by Chrissy McNally, who said Juno is thriving after an initial period of adjustment.
"I feel like now we're in a good routine, and I mean she's just so lovable and sweet," McNally said. "And I would also say I was nervous when I first got her about being seen with her because of Steve, but everyone is just so excited to see her all the time. They just love her, she means so much to people and they’re just happy she’s being taken care of."
Nearby as McNally was chatting with people before the memorial began was Odin, one of the puppies Juno had four-and-a-half years ago, along with his owner Deborah Hart Pederson. She said she first encountered Steven Kissack when he unexpectedly knocked on the door of the floathouse she was living in when Odin was still a young pup.
"It was crazy out — it was like snowing/raining — and I can see that my houseboat mate has got this guy down there with a big dog and three puppies," she said, adding her housemate was getting one of the puppies.
That led to a friendship with Steven Kissack, Juno and others who adopted her puppies, Pederson said. She said she’s talked with police and others during the year since the fatal confrontation occurred and, among other things, wants to reopen the case to examine an alleged assault he was involved in the day before. His being a suspect in that assault was the reason an officer approached him on July 15 and the situation escalated.
"Yes, he did stuff wrong, but it escalated out of control," Pederson said. "That was not his fault. I'm not here to blame the police — I'm here to find healing and help give the police all the tools they need so that this will never happen again."
The memorial featured prayers by Karen Perkins, who was the pastor of a downtown church offering a food pantry and winter shelter that Steven Kissack visited, plus two songs written for him performed by local musicians.
Those gathered then marched from Marine Park to the location about three blocks away on Front Street where he was shot — with two leaders chanting as they played traditional Native drums and others chanting "Justice for Steve." More words of remembrance for him and others in disadvantaged situations who have died or disappeared over the past year were offered in the doorway of a storefront where he often slept before the group returned to the park.
Dawn Kissack said she plans to return to Florida on Wednesday, but before she left had at least one more important visit to make on the anniversary of her brother’s death.
"I want to go to where we brought his ashes," she said.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.
Josh Fortenbery hugs Dawn Kissack during the memorial gathering for her brother, Steven, on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Independent)
